The St. Veronica Parish Worship Commission is a collaborative and consultative body to Parish Council and the Pastoral Staff, working to facilitate, enhance and insure the quality of liturgical celebrations in the parish.

FROM THE DESK OF MS. BRESLER...

Dear Parents,

Lent has begun! As a school we are focusing on the three hallmarks of Lent; prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This is a perfect time to help your child find ways to pray by participating in parish or family traditions of Lent. As a family you could choose to make prayer together a focus for the next forty days; praying at meals, praying at bedtime, praying the rosary or stations together. All family members are invited to join the school as we pray the rosary and sing the Divine Mercy Chaplet every Friday of Lent at 2:20 in the church.

Fasting is another way to help us challenge ourselves using our self-control and self-discipline. This year we are asking students to "Fast from" different things each week. I challenge you to try fasting along with your children. It could be eye-opening throughout Lent.

Participating in service and almsgiving is another great way to help children and adults prepare for Easter by putting others before self. The school is participating in our parish collections during Lent, with the first collection happening next week for House of Peace. Please allow your child to be involved in the discussion and purchasing of the items their grade level is asked to bring in during the week (CLICK HERE TO SEE LIST OF ITEMS). Let's truly Live Lent!

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: Just a friendly reminder to get your 2018-2019 school year registration, along with payment in full, into the school office by tomorrow to be entered into the drawing for the "Early Bird Registration" raffle. Deadline is tomorrow, Friday, February 16th.

CATHOLIC FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS:

I hope you took advantage of the Catholic Education Foundation Scholarship offered by the Archdiocese by applying in January. The first application period for the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) 2018-2019, K-8 tuition aid grants is now closed. Applications submitted through February 2, 2018 are being considered. The foundation saw a significant increase in the number of applications, as well as financial need during this first period; compared to that of 2017-2018. The Catholic Education Foundation is currently preparing to award over 1.8 million dollars in elementary tuition grant offers and will not open a second application period for 2018-19. Award, as well as denial letters will be mailed to families the week of February 19, 2018.

ELIGIBILITY OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:

The school has been made aware that there's an issue with students who miss school and then come to either practices or games on the same day. Per our Student Handbook, this cannot happen. It is the responsibility of the parent(s) to follow this school rule and let coaches or supervising adult know if his or her student is not eligible to play or participate because he/she missed school that day. If parents do not take on this responsibility and do not follow this guideline and allow their child to play/participate and it is discovered by either facilitating organizer or the school, that student will become ineligible to play/practice for the next two weeks or even longer depending on the severity of the infraction.

In addition, it is the parents' responsibility to let coaches or supervising adult know if their student becomes ineligible to participate due to low academic performance. Again, if parents neglect this responsibility and the school must step in, students will be ineligible to participate until the next season.

The Athletic/Fine Arts Boosters and the school will work together to make sure all guidelines are followed.

OPEN GYM:

Mrs. Mooney is trying something new! She has decided to have Open Gym every Wednesday morning from 7:30 to 8:00am. To start, students in grade 3 to 8 are invited, however after the first few weeks that may change. This is "Free Gym" and while Mrs. Mooney will be present, there will be no organized activities happening, though equipment will be available. Students are responsible for doing appropriate activities and maintaining expected behavior. If there are any behavior issues, the student(s) involved will be asked to leave the Open Gym and will not be allowed back until the following school year. We are hoping that these Open Gym periods will encourage our students to be physically active and help to expel some energy before school begins. Open Gym will begin next week, February 23rd.

KUDOS:

Congratulations to Matthew Olszewski, our school spelling bee winner! Matthew took the online test and has qualified to represent St. Veronica at the regional competition in March. Keep Matthew in your prayers as he practices and studies.

GIFT OF FAILURE:

In this week's excerpt, Mrs. Lahey talks more about autonomy-supportive parenting. Now, for this week's excerpt from The Gift of Failure .

Fr. David has graciously accepted the invitation to emcee the evening! Please join in a fun evening of good food and fellowship with other parishioners!

Admission is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 5-14, with a maximum of $25.00 for the family. Each person will receive a soup mug and spoons will be available. Admission will be reduced by $1.00 each if you bring your mug from previous years.

Beverages of water and coffee (regular and decaf) will be provided. Soda will be available for purchase. All other beverages will be BYOB.

There will be 6 categories of chili to taste and enjoy! Entertainment will be provided. A band will be playing during the evening and all Chili entries will be eligible for the People's Choice Award"! A split the pot and gift card raffle will be available as well.

The St. Veronica Outreach Commission will be the recipient of all funds raised which will be donated to Inter-Parish Ministries in Newtown to stock their Mobile Food Pantry. The Mobile Pantry will be on site at St Veronica this summer.

A Sign-Up Genius has been created to volunteer for set up, clean up and accompaniments for the chili (cheese, onions, crackers, etc.). Donations will also be accepted for appetizers, desserts and gift card donations.